Thank Washington State County for Banning Horse Slaughter

By Ona Coughlan

Target: Snohomish County Council

Goal: Thank Snohomish County Council for banning horse slaughter

Snohomish County is a large area located just north of the Seattle metropolitan area. The county contains several bustling towns and holds the western part of Mt. Baker National Forest. Interestingly, Snohomish also has the most horses per capita of any county in the United States, and many of its residents are ardent horse owners and lovers.

Recently, Bouvry Exports, a Canadian company located in Calgary, proposed re-opening a horse slaughter factory located outside of one of Snohomish’s towns. Bouvry is one of the world’s top horse meat exporters, selling horse products to restaurants and other organizations in Europe, Asia, and South America. The factory in question has been out of operation since the early 1990s, and there have been no other horse slaughter plants in Snohomish since its closure. Bouvry hoped that its business could expand by re-opening the plant in the heart of America’s horse country.

However, the Snohomish County Council had other ideas. During a recent meeting, the council unanimously banned the slaughter of horses for human consumption in Snohomish. This decision means that no factories dedicated to the killing of horses can be re-opened in the county and Bouvry will have to look elsewhere to re-establish their business in the United States.

The Snohomish County Council’s decision is a great victory for horses in Washington State. By forbidding horse slaughter factories in their county, the Snohomish Council is publicly announcing that killing these animals is unethical and will not be tolerated in their community. With any luck, other counties in the state and around the country will also begin banning horse slaughter and preventing the re-opening of more factories. Please thank the Snohomish County Council for respecting these beautiful animals and banning horse slaughter in their county.

PETITION LETTER

Dear Snohomish County Council,

Thank you so much for banning horse slaughter in your county. Your decision ensuring that no horse slaughter factories can be re-opened is a victory for both the horse and human residents of your community.

As you know, the horse slaughter industry is highly unethical. Each year, thousands of healthy, happy horses are sent to their deaths in factories around the world. Their meat is used for many different purposes, but much of the product is meant for human consumption. These beautiful animals are essentially killed because people have a desire to eat them.

Your recent decision is a great victory for horses all over the United States. By forbidding horse slaughter factories in your county, you are publicly announcing that killing these animals is wrong and will not be tolerated in your community. With any luck, other counties in Washington and around the country will follow your lead and also begin banning horse slaughter in their areas.

Again, thank you.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Aes via WikiCommons